Table-leveler.



F. K. SHEPPARD.

TABLE LEVELER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13, 1909.

948,708. Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

inn STATES FATE FFKQ.

FRANK K. SHEPPARD, 0F BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO BENJAMIN F. ALIEORD, OF BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY.

TABLE-LEVELER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 18, 1909.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Serial No. 518,384.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK K. SHEPPARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeton, in the county of Cumberland and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table- Levelers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in table levelers, more particularly designed for use in connection with billiard tables and the like, although it is not limited to this use, but may be used for various other purposes, the object of the invention being to provide an improved device of this kind which can be readily secured to the legs of tables and the like, which can be easily adjusted to secure the desired elevation of each leg, and which will support the table perfectly level regardless of unevenness or incline of the floor.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character, which can be manufactured and sold at a small cost, which can be readily operated by any one of average intelligence, and which will be strong and durable in use, and most effectually perform the functions for which it is designed.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a broken View of the lower end of the table leg illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2, is a view in longitudinal section thereof, and Fig. 3, is a top plan view of the bottom disk or plate 14:.

1 represents a table leg having a socket bored in its lower end, into which the shell 3 of my improved device is secured by means of screws 4, the screws 4 being projected through openings in an annular flange 5 on the lower end of the shell, said flange being preferably countersunk in the end of leg 1. The shell 3 is of two diameters, the upper and smaller diameter, illustrated at 6, is internally screw threaded, while the lower or larger diameter 7 is smooth internally.

8 represents my improved journal, which is of two diameters to fit within the shell 3, the lower diameter being smooth, and the upper smaller diameter being externally screw threaded as shown at 9 to mesh with the screw threads in the portion 6 of shell 3, so that when said journal is turned, the leg'will be adjusted vertically. The lower end of this journal 8 is flared outward forming a beveled wall 10 around the same, and the central portion of the lower end of the journal is made with a circular socket 11 adapted to receive and be supported upon a ball or sphere 12, the latter being posltioned in a socket 13 in the base plate or disk 14L.

15 represents a ring, which is adapted to be positioned around the beveled wall 10 of the journal, and is also internally beveled, so that when this ring is secured to the lower disk or plate 1 1 by means of a series of screws 16, the parts will be securely held together, yet permit of independent movement within certain limits, as will be eX- plained. An opening 17 is provided in the journal to accommodate an ordinary spanner wrench, not shown, to turn the ournal and adjust the table leg.

As will be seen most clearly in Fig. 2, while the journal 8 is supported upon the ball 12, there is sufficient space between the lower end of the journal and the disk or plate 14 to allow the disk and journal to tilt or incline relative to each other, so as to support the leg properly even though the floor be uneven or at an incline. When it 1s desired to adjust the leg, aspalrner wrench engages the journal at the opening 17, and turns the journal, and due to the intermeshing screw threads between the journal and the shell 3, the leg is raised or lowered as the case may be, until the table is perfectly level.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my in vention, and hence I do not restrict myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a shell adapted to be secured in a table leg, a journal in said shell having screw threaded engagement therewith, abase plate or disk, said base plate or disk and said journal each having a curved recess therein, and a ball interposed between and independent of said journal and disk and located in said recesses.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a shell adapted to be secured in a table leg, a journal in said shell having screw threaded engagement therewith, said journal having an enlarged lower end, a base plate or disk, said base plate or disk and said journal each having a curved recess therein, a ball interposed between said journal and disk and located in said recesses, and a ring secured to said disk around the journal and fitting over the enlarged lower end of the journal.

3. A device of the character described,

comprising a shell having internal screw threads, a journal located in said shell and having external screw threads meshing with the threads of the shell, said journal having its outer wall beveled forming an enlarged lower end, a base plate, said base plate and lower end of the journal each having a curved recess therein, a ball interposed between said journal and disk, and located in said recesses, a ring having a conical inner wall located around the lower end of said journal, and screws securing said ring to said disk or base plate.

4. In combination with a table leg, having a recess in its lower end, a shell located in said recess and having an annular flange at its lower end, and screws projecting through said flange, and into the lower end of the leg, aj'ournal in said shell having an enlarged lower end, said shell and said journal each of two diameters, the smaller and upper diameters having intermeshing screw threads, a base plate, a ball interposed between the lower end of said journal and said base plate, a ring secured to said base plate located around the journal and fitting over the enlarged lower end of the journal, and said journal having a spanner wrench receiving opening, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK K. SHEPPARD.

lVitnesses BENJAMIN F. ALronn, JorrN SHEPPARD. 

